DIFF’s encapsulating ‘Cinema for Children’ returns once more to the Festival’s 14th edition with an eclectic mix of fantastical films brimming with wonder, excitement and adventure for all the family to enjoy. Boasting a lineup that will have you laughing, crying, and on the edge of your seats, this year’s ‘Cinema for Children’ is a family affair that you won’t want to miss.
From the director of Ice Age: The Meltdown, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Rio and Rio 2, comes the animated comedy-drama ‘Ferdinand’, directed by prestigious Brazilian director Carlos Saldanha. ‘Ferdinand’ is a Spanish fighting bull but not in the traditional sense, the smell of flowers and practicing non-violence are much more appealing to this kind-hearted bull than chasing red cloths held by matadors in arenas. However, when disaster comes to him Ferdinand is taken to a bull-fighting stadium, like every bull in Spain, and he must decide whether he is a fighting bull or indeed a flower-smelling, kind-hearted bull, in order to earn his freedom. ‘Ferdinand’ will be the Cinema for Children’s Red Carpet Gala on Friday, 8th December at the Madinat Arena, and will be one not to miss.
Screening at the stunning Madinat Theatre in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah isthe highly anticipated animation from Mexico ‘Ana and Bruno’, the intrepid tale of a peculiar young girl, Ana, who escapes from a psychiatric institute and seeks out her father in order to help save her troubled mother. Aided by weird and fantastical beings that she meets along the way, Ana begins a journey of thrilling and touching adventures. Based on the novel ‘Ana’, By Daniel Emil, and brought to life by the award-winning Mexican director Carlos Carrera, Ana and Bruno will take you on a wondrous journey at DIFF this year.
French director Nicolas Bary’s third feature film to date, ‘Little Spirou’, another intrepid tale of an adventurous young boy, Spirou promises to entertain audiences at the Madinat Souk Theatre. Based on the comic books Le Petit Spirou by Tome and Janry, Spirou is the tale of a boy who is destined to become a bellboy like all of his family before him. However, hell-bent on making the most of his last days with his friends, and confessing his undying love for his sweetheart Suzette, before being whisked away to bellhop academy, Spirou and his buddies organize an extraordinary adventure that Suzette will never forget.
Director Piyush Chandrakant Panjuani brings his global filmmaking experience and his unique cinematic language of storytelling to DIFF with his heart-warming, world premiere feature ‘5 Rupees’. Set in a quaint little village in the foothills of the Himalayas, ‘5 Rupees’, tells the tale of a grandmother, Ameena, played by veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who lives alone with her seven-year-old grandson, Hamid. The film follows Hamid who is promised 5 rupees as Eidie by his grandmother if he keeps to his last fast – gleefully he agrees. However, on the morning of Eid, Ameena finds the 5 rupees have vanished and Hamid is nowhere to be seen. Believing the worst but unaware of Hamid’s good intentions, Ameena furiously awaits Hamid’s return. In what can only be described as a show of pure innocence and unconditional love the film is turned on its head when Hamid returns from the fair, and anger is swapped for love, and tears of joy and happiness.
DIFF’s Cinema for Children programmer, Myrna Maakaron, commented: “As with previous years, we here at DIFF are thrilled and devoted to showcasing the finest family films in the Cinema for Children. Tantalising stories stemming from four different continents will touch hearts and minds, inspiring children and parents alike. We look forward welcoming DIFF audiences to the screenings for what promises to be a treat for anyone wanting to discover gripping stories and enthusiastic talent. The 14th edition of DIFF will be unforgettable, and the Cinema for Children is no different.”